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There is a lot of Thin Film Panels by larger and reputable companies, First Solar for example. Is it possible to put out a TST5 with higher input VMP? Say 44.4VMP for the First Solar FS-390-PLUS Panel? I am considering writing some code to crawl the websites above and produce output for a spreadsheet or database. This would show what VMP is the most common among all the manufactures of thin film panels, therefore providing Energenx some info about the best VMP to target (assuming it can easily be altered).

Frustratingly a panel showed up that looked ideal for 24V made by a US company... That company NanoSolar is now gone... Probably shouldn't have posted that, sorry folks

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I contacted AmpleSun, the manufacturer of the ASF100_19 panel. They can create a 110W Amorphous panels spec'd to the TST5 12V and 24V. The price is very reasonable at $50 - $66 USD per panel dependant on number.

The main issue shipping cost. Once I work that out I hope to order a sample 110W, 18.5Vmp, 22Voc, 6Imp panel for review. If anyone knows of a cheap forwarding service I'm all ears!

Most information I googled about AmpleSun panels came back positive but I'll look further.

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I contacted AmpleSun, the manufacturer of the ASF100_19 panel. They can create a 110W Amorphous panels spec'd to the TST5 12V and 24V. The price is very reasonable at $50 - $66 USD per panel dependant on number.

The main issue shipping cost. Once I work that out I hope to order a sample 110W, 18.5Vmp, 22Voc, 6Imp panel for review. If anyone knows of a cheap forwarding service I'm all ears!

Most information I googled about AmpleSun panels came back positive but I'll look further.

Where is the link to the company? I didn't see "AmpleSun" on the chart in the first post.

Aaron Murakami

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” ― Richard Buckminster Fuller

How much is shipping for one of the 100w panels? And how much is shipping for 50 panels?

Is that even the same company? I can't find any info on the 12v panels on their site.

In addition to the amorphous cell, the micromorphous cell has a tandem
structure with an additional microcrystalline absorber.
This layer converts the energy of the red and near infrared spectrum,
allowing an efficiency increase of approximately 30%.

Aaron Murakami

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” ― Richard Buckminster Fuller

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Hi Aaron, didn't know that, that's a extra point for this manufacturer! Yes it's the same manufacturer, there site just lists a standard panel I suppose. When online chatting to an Alibaba rep about the 19V panel she advised they can customize without extra cost and confirmed the TST5 based specs with an engineer whilst chatting. I asked her to quote the forwarding cost. I lost the chat history but basically it was crazy at almost $500AU for 1 sample panel. To be fair she made it clear that freight forwarding was expensive and I should look at arranging it myself.

The weight is 50KG total (30KG panel, 20KG wooden box), dimensions from memory were 1420cm, 1260cm, 6cm. I tried using DHL's website for an airfreight cost but it exceeds the max dimensions. Haven't looked much more, was planning on doing it next week.

I was looking at their site and googling and found a company that installed a 20kW AmpleSun ASF based system at a training college over the bay from me. I am tempted to pay them a visit to look at it and see how it's going a few years on. I'll be sure to post back if I do.

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I called a guy Bevan who installed this system from http://choosesolar.com.au. He had done a few other installs of these panels, he stated "they are a phenomenal bit a gear" and stated the build quality is excellent. He mentioned a 15Kw system and stated when you compare the numbers accounting for shade/cloud etc it behaves like a 30Kw Poly system.

The only reason they don't do many installs anymore is due to Poly/Mono cost changes over the last few years and said it was a shame. He even TXT'd me some pics so I have posted them here with his comments.

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An update on the weight and dimensions. This is and email received from them:

"The size of the solar panel with an aluminum frame is 1106*1406*35mm, and the size of the solar panel with package is about 1420*1120*45mm.
The panel weight is 20.3kg, and the wooden box is about 35kg, so the total weight is about 55kg.
I have put pictures about package for one piece frame-less double glass solar panel before, please check."

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Another panel for research that will custom make modules spec'd to the TST5 12 and 24V. This one is a CIGS flexible panel. Currently investigating a link between Global Solar PowerFLEX and Sun Harmonics. The 200W and 100W panels are pretty close to TST5 already if you look at the Global Solar PDF.

Sun Harmonics quoted $3/watt which is more expensive however they are flexible meaning lower install costs with better efficiency

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Response from Sun Harmonics. If anyone knows how much they are in the US from Global Solar please post back.

Our spot goods are Global solar's products. At present our spot goods are 90W/250W/275W in warehouse. Your prefer 100w and 200w, we can supply also. But we need some days to process. Please tell me your quantities about 100w and 200w, then we can give the quotation. Waiting for your reply.

/Edit

Received some pics from Sun Harmonics. Certainly look like the Global Solar Powerflex panels

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I was looking at Hanergy and their recent acquisitions of CIGS manufacturers MiaSolé, Q-cells, AltaDevices and Global Solar. So at least these companies stand a chance of being around long term to support their warranties.

Anyway one of the panels MS150GG-04 is close to the specs for the TST5. Have added to the list.

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I have been liaising with Sun Harmonics to organise some samples of the 100W panels. Could someone with more knowledge explain in real world terms the Low Light Performance of these panels. From what I can understand a Poly/Mono crystalline panel's power drops right off at about 800W/m2, whereas these panels are still 91 percent efficient at as low as 200W/m2 which seems pretty awesome (see image below).

The Miasole products also look really good, but I'm having difficulties getting information from these guys which has left me a little flat about dealing with them. Apparently the Tesla Motor company is/will be using Miasole products for their charge stations.

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So Hanergy buys up most of the thin film market and now they are taking a dive. This stinks of suppression.

With the impending crash in China (and the US) this does not bode well. I'm totally sick of this greed and insanity with money. The world could vastly different if not for the greedy *******s that feel they need to subjugate and suppress us. Sorry but it bothers me a lot.

Anyway, if people do decide to purchase from Hanergy, tread carefully.

James

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wow! I had been trying to get a hold of a sales rep directly, it was impossible. they would not answer a phone call from us, or emails, and logging in with Alibaba account to speak with them had the same results, they saw where I was from and said adios. I think they knew something was up, and did not want to hang another vendor out to dry. my impression is that there is a shakedown happening in the solar markets right now, firms are consolidating their grip and dishonest people are taking the money and running. this is the third thin film amorphous solar company to go belly up in the last 2 years.